By Cédric Dumas
While the world’s biggest MMA promotion took a break for Memorial Day Weekend, all eyes turned to regional circuits around the globe, and former IMMAF standouts seized the spotlight.
Leading the charge was two-time IMMAF world champion Aieza Bertolso, who extended her perfect professional record to 6-0 on Friday night. Competing in her native Brazil, the surging strawweight overcame the toughest challenge of her career, submitting former ONE Championship title challenger Samara Santos (12-10-1) with a slick rear-naked choke in the third round. Bertolso’s bout opened the main card of LFA 209, and with her amateur career included, the victory marked her 20th consecutive win, a remarkable streak that could soon earn her an LFA title shot or perhaps a call from the UFC.
The week began with the return of Road to UFC, the tournament series spotlighting Asia-Pacific prospects, held at the UFC Performance Institute in Shanghai. Lawrence Lui, a 2019 Oceania Championships silver medalist, stepped in on short notice to compete in the bantamweight bracket – and he delivered. Representing City Kickboxing, the New Zealander earned a hard-fought decision over Zhang Qinghe in a competitive matchup. Lui is now set to return in August, where he’ll face Vietnam’s Nghiem Van Y (6-1) in the tournament semifinals.
Elsewhere, several IMMAF veterans picked up key victories over the weekend:
Kurban Idrisov, a two-time IMMAF lightweight world champion, improved to 7-0 as a professional at Octagon 73. Known for his durability and well-rounded game on the amateur circuit, Idrisov has yet to see a second round in his pro career. Fellow IMMAF alum Bogdan Pshebelskiy also claimed victory on the same Kazakh card, securing a second-round Peruvian necktie submission in his main card bout.
French MMA continues to surge following the sport’s legalization in 2020. At Hexagone MMA 29, two IMMAF alumni turned heads: Paul Denis Navero made a statement in his pro debut, scoring a brutal body-shot TKO in the second round to the delight of the home crowd. Owen Jason also extended his undefeated record to 5-0 with a unanimous decision win.
In Brazil, 2022 IMMAF junior world bronze medalist Chingis Idrissov made a successful pro debut, earning a first-round TKO via Ground and Pound. Originally from Kazakhstan, Idrissov has been training in Brazil alongside his brother Idris, showcasing strong potential despite a relatively short amateur career.
At FCR 24, John Oldenqvist stood out with a gritty decision win over Brazil’s Kevin Dolvik in a thrilling back-and-forth battle. The 2021 IMMAF World Cup bronze medalist lifted the local fans with his all-action style. Also on the card, IMMAF veteran Benjamin Hajijan remained unbeaten as a pro, notching his second victory via judges’ decision.
The weekend also saw the professional debut of Arturo Aedillo at Ready Fight 4, where the IMMAF vet delivered a spectacular first-round knockout to cap off an impressive showing.
Once again, IMMAF alumni proved that a strong amateur foundation can pave the way to pro success. From Bertolso’s rising stardom to Lui’s tournament run, the results this week highlight just how valuable international amateur experience can be on the road to success.
